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Cybertalk: A cyberspace devotee asks how closely should we follow the Nandinatha sutras. Gurudeva says if we were to ask the elders that visit us here at Kauai Aadheenam as to how they live up to these sutras they would say that this is their way of life. He also says that only those who live a double standard look at the sutras as hard rules difficult to live up to.

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Date: April_18_2001
Title: Hindu Sects
Category: Hinduism and Tradition
Duration: 1 min., 28 seconds
Date Given: April 11, 2001

A cyberspace devotee in Texas is wondering about, "If you are born a Hindu into one or another, of the four traditional sects - Smarta, Sakta, Vaishnavite, Saivite - must you remain within the denomination of your birth?"

Everything is very flexible within Sanatana Dharma. If you find a sect or denomination within Hinduism that suits you better, then throw your entire energy within it. But, if you are close to one of the spiritual leaders, then he should know that you have changed denominations. Therefore, his expectations would diminish and his responsibility would diminish for your spiritual unfoldment.

It is very important to be philosophically, absolutely clear of why you would move from one denomination to another. It takes deep thought and discussion. It should not be done on a whim or without a lot of deep thought or discussion, because it would definitely have an impact upon the family.
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Kulapati Deva Seyon introduces and welcomes Aravindraj and Sivanewaran into the congregation.

Both sishya read aloud the following oath:

"I have read and reread and will, to the best of my ability, uphold, live and
teach by example, as well as verbally to the next generation, each one of
the 365 sutras of the Nandinatha lineage.

I come forward with gifts of gratitude and feelings of love to my guru and
those in the parampara who have preceded him.

I affirm that I have completed all the membership requirements and I vow to
be an ardent, responsive, grateful, loyal vratasishya of Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami as a member of his Saiva Siddhanta Church among my
kulapati's extended family."

The two sit before the sacred fire which has since ancient days, been God's silent witness and Divine blessing power for countless vows and crucial life passages.

Aravindraj and Sivaneswaran have both completed a three year study in the Himalayan Academy.

Now that they are Vrata Sishya they will be eligible and prepare for mantra diksha.

Thambynathan Nutanaya assists with the homa by lighting the final arati lamp and passing it to Natyam Tyaganatha.

The priest, after passing a flower over the flame lifts it up over his head, focusing within on the inner chakras before the final waving of the lights.

After the homa their was a special dance performance by Janani Umakanthan from Napa Valley, California.

Janani is a medical student in her second year of study.

Janani with her father, mother, two brothers and sister-in-law.

Gurudeva also gave special blessings for the marriage of Bhranavan and Preeti Umakanthan, and Sivakumar and Lavanya Meyyappan.

Gurudeva gave each couple a shawl, explaining that if they had any disagreements they were to both sit on it and not get up until they had resolved their differences.

Sivakumar and Lavanya Meyyappan are from Singapore, here on Kauai for a week pilgrimage.

Mr and Mrs. Sivanandan from Sidney, Australia also attended homa this morning.

Mr and Mrs. Sivanandan are originally from Jaffna, Sri Lanka and were devotees of Siva Yogaswami.

Standing at the north end of temple site on the San Marga land... everyone watches while the Ganesha puja and small homa is done.

Tara Katir (right) and Mrs. Umakanthan left, perform the arati while Paramacharya Bodhinatha presides over a small homa.

Everyone sings the famous arati song, in English:

Om Jai Jagadish Hare
Swami Jai Jagadish Hare
Bagta jano ke sankata
Das jano ke sankata
Palame doorakare
Om Jai Jagadish Hare

Om Jai Jagdisha Hare
Swami Jai Jagdisha Hare
Take away all of our problems
Take away all of our illness
Send your shanti to us now
Om Jai Jagdisha Hare

Joy and peace and love
Shine them brightly in our hearts
Swami shine them brightly in our hearts
Shiva when we think of you
Shiva when we think of you
Shed karuna on us all
Om Jai Jagdisha Hare

Now, Janani Umakanthan (right) and Neesha Alahan continue waving the flame.

The Meyyappans meet with Acharya Palaniswami and discuss plans to assist with Iraivan fund raising in Singapore by offering some of our art for sale to the public there.

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